Last week a blazing fire came perilously close to my community, momentarily displacing many of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Though I was still a few miles away, the reality of losing it all hit home. Upon receiving the notice of evacuation, this is what one of my friends posted on Facebook:
For some reason,the desire for a bigger,nicer home was always a desire deep within my heart..after the events of the last two days, reading Matthew 6:19-20 has burned that desire into an ash heap, especially upon the realization that the most important things we took with us were each other, visual memories with our family and friends (pics), and some “important” papers (wouldn’t have cared if those burned actually).
One of my friends from campus ministry always used to say about things, “well, it’s all going to burn anyway” in response to everything from losing a CD to giving more on Sundays. Yes, it will all burn someday. So what’s important?
If a fire was bearing down on your home, and you had little time to choose, what would you take with you?
(And thankfully, only four homes were lost. Praise God too that no one was hurt.)
Assuming my family was okay I would take:
My son's action figures, my bible, my wife's favorite dress shoes.
I always imagined that it would be my Bible, but in all honesty, if I were panicky, I think I might grab my dog, my laptop, my phone, my ipad.
Basically all my electronics. Which makes me realize my priorities probably aren't where they should be.
I would try for the photo albums…although there is too many of them for me to carry. Then there's the home videos…sigh…I probably just run for my life.
I've pondered that question at times … and wondered how much presence of mind I would have to make that choice.
Thanks everyone for your responses. Photos seem to be consensus. I'd definately have to grab my iPhone, though it would likely already be on me. I never thought of grabbing my Bible. I'd probably burn alive trying to figure out which one! And action figures, oooh, that's a tough one- my son's or mine?
Seriously though, besides pictures I'd grab some of my keepsakes from my dad and my grandpa's pocket watch. I have all the cards and gifts from when my wife and I were dating… if I could find them.
Maybe I should pre-pack?
I was in this position once, actually. Wrote a blog about it. If you want the link, let me know. I'll give it to you. 🙂
When I was in this situation, I froze. As the fireman barked at me to get out, I THOUGHT about taking a dozen things, but was so shocked that I took only my keys and cell phone.